Thank you, Bob. This is truly an “every cloud has a silver lining” story. My subscription to Substack - which I had never heard of before your becoming a part of it - is such an easy and economical way to have access to your excellent columns!
Good luck with this new venture Bob! Publishing is entering a new and uncertain phase, and so many people just do not appreciate what writers do - to the extent of thinking AI can do the job just as well. The flip side of this revolution is the ability to set up something like this so quickly, and reconnect with the people who enjoy your writing (and even make some money from it!) Good luck again, and like others have said, it would be fun to have a look at this novel of yours!
What platform are you using? I have self-published on Amazon KDP and it's worked well for me - beautiful print quality and an easy-to-manage interface for tracking sales etc.
Novel you say? Pray tell, will the first installment be this week, what a treat, both to be able to keep up with you, as well as get on this ride, especially when it's starts to go fast!!! <3
Yes. I holed myself up in a hotel room in Portland a while ago and began to type furiously. Poured my heart and soul into it and have let it sit for a while. Very personal.
Next time you're holed up in Portland, send up a flare...one of the Schmatjen clan will supply the pinot noir or the Pacific Northwest craft brew to keep the writing going...
I'm also looking forward to seeing installments of the novel...nothing like a good teaser!
Bob, congrats on your launch of @thewaryone joining the group of popular Substack Authors like @shellenberger @georgesauders @kareem - it’s great to see you on the same publishing platform as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!
A few years ago, when i had a national radio show on SiriusXM, I was at company headquarters in Manhattan and was directed to an elevator that went only to the 36th and 37th floors, where Sirius was headquartered. There was only one person waiting for that same elevator - Kareem. I avoided saying "How's the weather up there?" or "I know who you are," because he probably already knew who he was. 37 floors with just me and Kareem. We solved all the world's problems on that elevator ride.
Bob, if you haven’t done so already, check out Kareem’s Substack!!! (!’s intentional and exclamatory). I make it a point to read all of Kareem’s postings for their intelligence, humor and insight. I think all here would agree.
You're the fourth writer I follow on Substack, Bob, so it was an easy transition to add you to my daily reading list. Since two of the others are politically focused, your commentary is always a welcome respite from the constant barrage of troubling news. May you continue to be blessed with the love and support of your loyal readers.
Robin - You are probably the only one in the Class of '64 to know about Substack. You are way ahead of the times.
When we were kids, The Enterprise arrived in the mail and now it will arrive in the mail once again. Maybe they'll bring back Foster's Freeze, Quessenberry Drug, the Vienna Bakery and downtown State Market, too. Wouldn't that be great? Best to You Bob
I doubt that I'm the only one as many of them are lawyers, doctors, PhD recipients. I feel as if I can hardly keep up with today's world. Probably need to learn coding. :)
Kinda felt like those few days before your first article dropped were like the initial chain-driven lift of Coney Island’s Cyclone (and all of its viscous ancestors, since)…interminable, fraught with anxiety, anticipatory…then we’ve been on a pretty great, exciting new ride with you, ever since🎢‼️
Bob I write a weekly spiritual reflection for a church bulletin publishing company. I too hate the proofreading part. Keep going with the opinions etc. Fr. Peterson
Wow. This is some ride. I've never gone this fast before.
Hope I bump into you somewhere soon. As a matter of fact, there used to be a great restaurant in Davis called "Bumps." It was a good place to bump into people. It was where Woodstock's is now.
Substack is one of my primary sources of news and information. Glad you're here. Not only does it provide you with a wider audience and enable you to continue to live your dream, but it provides a venue for other things, such as serializing your novel. Be encouraged to share it.
Bob… what a pleasure to see you land on your feet and be sprinting forward—-like your running down Mt Hood towards the Oregon Coast or jogging around the arboretum.
Clearly you are resilient and reinvigorated. All I ask is that you keep your authentic voice and sense of humor.
4000 is a good amount of initial subscribers but we expect you will attract many thousands more with your creativity and insights.
Also encourage Shelly to continue being your marketing director. That red head knows how to sing your praises loudly.
Thank you, Bob. This is truly an “every cloud has a silver lining” story. My subscription to Substack - which I had never heard of before your becoming a part of it - is such an easy and economical way to have access to your excellent columns!
You are too kind, Jerry. Yes, Substack is an amazing avenue. A Godsend for me, for sure.
May your creativity and style continue to inspire and delight us who have always appreciated you.
Carolyn - Thank you so much. Your support means the world to me.
Hope our paths cross soon.
All the Best
Bob
Good luck with this new venture Bob! Publishing is entering a new and uncertain phase, and so many people just do not appreciate what writers do - to the extent of thinking AI can do the job just as well. The flip side of this revolution is the ability to set up something like this so quickly, and reconnect with the people who enjoy your writing (and even make some money from it!) Good luck again, and like others have said, it would be fun to have a look at this novel of yours!
About ready to launch the novel
What platform are you using? I have self-published on Amazon KDP and it's worked well for me - beautiful print quality and an easy-to-manage interface for tracking sales etc.
Novel you say? Pray tell, will the first installment be this week, what a treat, both to be able to keep up with you, as well as get on this ride, especially when it's starts to go fast!!! <3
Yes. I holed myself up in a hotel room in Portland a while ago and began to type furiously. Poured my heart and soul into it and have let it sit for a while. Very personal.
Will start that soon.
Next time you're holed up in Portland, send up a flare...one of the Schmatjen clan will supply the pinot noir or the Pacific Northwest craft brew to keep the writing going...
I'm also looking forward to seeing installments of the novel...nothing like a good teaser!
Love Portland. Love the Schmatjen clan
Really looking forward to it Bob!
Me too, Karen
Yes please to sharing your novel here over time as a series 👏📖
Thanks Jenni. Plan to do it. You're encouraging me to take the leap.
Bob, congrats on your launch of @thewaryone joining the group of popular Substack Authors like @shellenberger @georgesauders @kareem - it’s great to see you on the same publishing platform as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!
A few years ago, when i had a national radio show on SiriusXM, I was at company headquarters in Manhattan and was directed to an elevator that went only to the 36th and 37th floors, where Sirius was headquartered. There was only one person waiting for that same elevator - Kareem. I avoided saying "How's the weather up there?" or "I know who you are," because he probably already knew who he was. 37 floors with just me and Kareem. We solved all the world's problems on that elevator ride.
Bob, if you haven’t done so already, check out Kareem’s Substack!!! (!’s intentional and exclamatory). I make it a point to read all of Kareem’s postings for their intelligence, humor and insight. I think all here would agree.
Kareem is one of the greatest human beings God ever made
You're the fourth writer I follow on Substack, Bob, so it was an easy transition to add you to my daily reading list. Since two of the others are politically focused, your commentary is always a welcome respite from the constant barrage of troubling news. May you continue to be blessed with the love and support of your loyal readers.
Robin - You are probably the only one in the Class of '64 to know about Substack. You are way ahead of the times.
When we were kids, The Enterprise arrived in the mail and now it will arrive in the mail once again. Maybe they'll bring back Foster's Freeze, Quessenberry Drug, the Vienna Bakery and downtown State Market, too. Wouldn't that be great? Best to You Bob
I doubt that I'm the only one as many of them are lawyers, doctors, PhD recipients. I feel as if I can hardly keep up with today's world. Probably need to learn coding. :)
Kinda felt like those few days before your first article dropped were like the initial chain-driven lift of Coney Island’s Cyclone (and all of its viscous ancestors, since)…interminable, fraught with anxiety, anticipatory…then we’ve been on a pretty great, exciting new ride with you, ever since🎢‼️
Can’t wait for the novel…
Bill - You are so kind. Thanks so much for climbing on the train. Or is it a rocket to the moon?
The novel is coming.
God Bless
Bob
Bob I write a weekly spiritual reflection for a church bulletin publishing company. I too hate the proofreading part. Keep going with the opinions etc. Fr. Peterson
Father - Thanks for all you do to make our world a better place. Proofreading a pain, but think of all the editors it employs.
Blessings
Bob
The Greggs are happy to continue along for the ride; keep the columns coming!
Carolee and Bill -
Wow. This is some ride. I've never gone this fast before.
Hope I bump into you somewhere soon. As a matter of fact, there used to be a great restaurant in Davis called "Bumps." It was a good place to bump into people. It was where Woodstock's is now.
Loved that restaurant!
Substack is one of my primary sources of news and information. Glad you're here. Not only does it provide you with a wider audience and enable you to continue to live your dream, but it provides a venue for other things, such as serializing your novel. Be encouraged to share it.
Thanks, Greg. Your encouraging words go straight to my heart.
The novel will be coming. What a novel idea. (Couldn't resist a bad joke).
Thank you for all you do!
Anne - Thank you for being a part of this. Means a ton to me.
Thank you for persevering, really love waking up to your words.
Thanks, Jo. It's been a wild and very fun ride.
Glad you're on board.
Bob… what a pleasure to see you land on your feet and be sprinting forward—-like your running down Mt Hood towards the Oregon Coast or jogging around the arboretum.
Clearly you are resilient and reinvigorated. All I ask is that you keep your authentic voice and sense of humor.
4000 is a good amount of initial subscribers but we expect you will attract many thousands more with your creativity and insights.
Also encourage Shelly to continue being your marketing director. That red head knows how to sing your praises loudly.
The Redheaded Girl of My Dreams is the heart and soul of this endeavor, not to mention the brains, too.